Graz, Austria; 11 November 1996 (RFE/RL) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko has called on G-7 countries to honor previous nuclear agreements signed with Ukraine, saying Kyiv has fully met its obligations.
Lazarenko told reporters at the Central European Initiatives (CEI) closing news conference in Graz, Austria, over the weekend that he issued the call during the two days of closed-door summit level talks.
He said the issue was raised in relation to debate on how best to assist in the rehabilitation of regions in Belarus and Ukraine -- areas most affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Lazarenko said the first block at Chernobyl will close later this month, leaving only block number three in operation at the site of the world's worst civilian nuclear disaster.
Lazarenko said he wanted to draw attention to"the fact the agreements have to be complied by the other parties as well." In turn, Lazarenko reiterated Ukraine's commitment to abide the obligations in the future.